Game device



C. V. TORREY.

GAME DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25. 1 919.

1 64,657. Patented Jan. 4,1921.

INVE/VTUI? Arm/MHZ? UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

CARL VERNON TORREY, OF MARBLEHEAI), MASSACHUSETTS.

GAME DEVICE.

Application filed November 25, 1919.

ing surface to accomplish a certain objective, such for instance as knocking down one or more vertically presented pins or the like game pieces as in the game of ten pins and the like.

The primary object of the invention is to providenovel means for impelling the surface projectile and to render the game realistic, to which end it is proposed to provide a mechanical manikin which is so con structed as to enable the arm thereof to be manipulated for the purpose of impelling the projectile with substantially the same movement of the arm as when a bowling ball or the like is thrown down a bowling alley by a bowler.

A further object of the invention is to provide a group of manikins posed to represent, one of them in the act of impelling the surface projectile, and the other posed as in the act of coaching or instructing the one that is bowling on the fundamental principles of the game, so that aside from the amusement which the game in itself will offer the attitude of the players represented by their poses and expressions will also offer a source of amusement.

In game devices of this character it is well known to provide a miniature bowling alley with ten pins arranged at one end so that they may be knocked down by a ball which is impelled down the alley, but in these games the ball is usually impelled by an impelling device or a shooter so to speak, but the present invention distinguishes from these instances in that the impelling device for the ball is produced in the form of a manikin with the arm thereof adapted to be manipulated to throw the ball; then again the idea of providing a group of manikins to represent more than one player with the pose of the entire group arranged to represent amusing characters is another distinguishing difference.

The accompanying drawing represents an Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921. Serial No. 340,545.

illustrative embodiment of the idea, the fig ure therein shown being a perspective view of a game device as proposed by the invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the playing surface is preferably constructed to represent a miniature bowling alley such as 1, having gutters or troughs 2, on both sides thereof with a rail 3 around the edge of the gutters or troughs to confine the surface projectile or rather the ball within the bounds of the playing device. The game pieces are represented by the pins 4 which are adapted to be set up on one end of the alley in the same order as in the game of ten pins.

At the playing end of the alley are arranged the players A and B representing manikins which may be produced to feature certain comical characters, with characteristic poses, such for instance as the manikin B representing an old man in the act of bowlin with a woman, such as the manikin A standing nearby in a pose to indicate an act of instructing the bowler. Both the manikins A and B are detachably supported on the game device so that the same may be substituted by other players and in order that the game device may be more or less disassembled for shipping or packing purposes. The preferred manner of supporting the players on the game device comprises grooved blocks 5 in which the feet of the manikins are received by the grooves with the manikins supported in a vertical positionrelative to the game device.

As stated, the manikin B is produced to represent a pose as that assumed in the act of bowling, to which end the legs are arranged in almost a partlykneeling position. In order that the bowler or manikin B may impel the surface projectile or the ball 6 down the alley, the arm G of the manikin is madeas a separate element, and pivoted as at 7 to the shoulder of the manikin with the hand D turned outwardly with the palm up to provide a seat for the ball 6. Fastened at one end of the hand D with its other end fastened at some convenient point on the game device, such for instance as at the end of the grooved block 5 which supports the bowler, is a coiled spring 8 which by means of its connection with the hand and its anchoring point will tend to maintain the arm in the position as shown. This spring comprises a medium which is relied upon to impart the necessary forward swinging motion to the arm C with sufficient force to project the ball 6 from the hand and in a direction toward .the pins 4. To accomplish this result the arm is adapted to be swung rearwardly against the influence of the spring, and when released the tendency of the spring will be to pull the arm forward with a jerk when the ball supported in the hand will be thrown forward toward the pins. To swing the arm rearwardly against the influence of the spring 8 a pull. cord or the like 9 is connected to the back of the hand or to the end of the arm with its opposite end normally anchored as at 10 on the game device. In playing the game the ball is seated in the palm of the manikins hand and the pull cord 9 released from its normal anchorage as at 10 and by imparting a pull on the released end of the cord, the arm will be swung rearwardly against the influence of the spring and by releasing the cord the spring will, as stated, throw the arm back with a erlr and project the ball. The action of the arm is so arranged as to represent a. realistic movement of the bowlers arm when throwing the ball.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by etters Patent is as follows 1. In a game device, a playing surface and a projectile, an objective at one end of the playing surface for the projectile, and means for lIIlQQlllDg the projectile toward the said objective, comprising a swinging arm having ahand turned outwardly in a substantially horizontal position with the palm up so as to hold a ball therein independently of clamping means, a spring device attached to said arm, and means for swinging the said arm against the influence of said spring device whereby the spring may manipulate the arm to impel the projectile.

2. In a game device, a playing surface and a projectile, an objective at one end of the playing surface for the projectile, and means for impelling the projectile toward the said objective, comprising a manikin in which one of its arms is pivoted to the shoulder thereof, and with the hand made to receive the projectile, a resilient member connected to said arm and extending downwardly therefrom with its lower end anchored, and means for swinging the said arm rearwardly against the influence of said spring device, whereby the spring device may actuate the arm to impel the projectile.

3. In a game device, a playing surface and a surface projectile, an objective at one end of the playing surface for the surface projectile, and means for impelling the surface projectile toward the said objective, comprising a manikin in which one of its arms is pivoted to the shoulder thereof, and with the hand horizontally disposed in a forward direction and with the palm up to receive the surface projectile, a spring connected to said arm at the hand and extending forwardly and downwardly for connection with the game device, and a pull cord anchored to the arm adjacent the hand and extending downwardly therefrom and anchored at its lower end for swinging the said arm' rearwardly against the influence of said spring device, whereby the spring device may actuate the arm to impel the surface projectile, said manikin being posed as in the act of bowling, and a second manikin supported adjacent the said first named manikin and posed to indicate an instructive attitude toward the first named manikin.

l. in a game device embodying the characteristics of a miniature bowling game, two or more players grouped at one end of the device, said players comprising manikins, one of which being posed in the act of bowling, with another manikin posed to indicate an instructive attitude toward said first named manikin, means on said first named manikin for impelling a surface projectile representing a miniature bowling ball, said impelling means comprising an arm of the manikin pivoted to the shoulder thereof, and with the hand providing a seat for the surface projectile, a s iiring connected to said hand, and to the playing device forwardly thereof, and means for swinging the said arm rearwardly against the influence of the spring whereby the spring may return the arm and impel the projectile.

5. In a game device, a playing surface and asurface projectile, an objective at one end of the playing surface for the surface proj ectile, and means for impelling the surface projectile toward said objective, said impelling means comprising a manikin, and a support therefor comprising a channel shaped member in which the feet of the manikin are received and anchored, said channel shaped member being secured to the playing surface.

6. In a game device, embodying the characteristics of a miniature bowling alley, a game board having a playing surface and troughs formed at one end and at the sides thereof, one end of the playing board surface being adapted to support pins, a manilrin at the opposite end of the playing surface of the board disposed in the act of bowling, and provided with a swinging arm for impelling a projectile toward the pins, a second manilrin disposed adjacent to the first manihin and on the playing board and posed to indicate an instructive attitude toward the first-named manikin, and grooved blocks secured to the game board and in which the manikins are supported substantially parallel to each other and in upright positions.

CARL VERNON ronnnYQ 

